The Military Affairs Council was formed in 1956 and is an organization of business and professional Chamber members who relate and socialize on a personal basis with our military neighbors at Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base.

Funded by Chamber members, the MAC Council strives for a 300-member annual membership that funds all MAC sponsored programs and events during the year.

 From its early origins the Chamber's Military Affairs Council has continued its strong bonds with Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base and continues to build bridges of understanding and cooperation between the military and civilian communities.

Why You "Should" Join the Military Affairs Council..

As a member of the Chamber, you have a unique opportunity to join the Chamber's Military Affairs Council. The Council is an organization of business and professional Chamber members who relate and socialize on a personal basis with our military neighbors at Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base. Our mission is to "enhance relationships and foster a heightened understanding between council members and members of the military community." The present day Military Affairs Council proudly traces its origin back to 1956, a period that brought substantial growth to Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base. From its early origins, the Chamber's Military Affairs Council has continued its strong bonds with Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base.

*According to an East Carolina Study, Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base contributed $9 billion to the state's economy.

• Statewide, 83,000 jobs are created by Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base and directly related to military operation contracts and retirement pay;
• Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base also effect nearly 21, 000 civilian jobs.  Fort Bragg contributed $9.3 billion to the economies of Bladen, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson and Scotland counties;
• Military contribution to retail sales in Cumberland County is approximately $2 billion.  Military personnel expenditures are significant contributors to economic growth and development for Cumberland County;
• Cumberland County's median income including military is approximately $29,000 annually compared to $22,000 annually, excluding military; and
  Direct and indirect economic impact of the military on 10 counties contiguous to Fort Bragg is nearly $9.4 billion.  

Every day approximately 47,000 military personnel and 10,618 civilian employees in careers ranging from trades and labor to engineers and attorneys provide the services needed to train, sustain, and deploy the combat forces to America's Crisis Response Contingency Corps and Special Operations Forces.  In the time of crisis, Fort Bragg serves as the major nexus for massive troop deployment.

Joining the Military Affairs Council is a tremendous opportunity for you to meet personally with leaders from Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base, but it also serves as a networking opportunity for our military friends.  NAC continues to participate in other programs throughout the year to provide support and assistance, such as the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) Soldier, Family and Command Support Association. MAC assisted in the fundraising for the Wall of Heroes at the United States Army Special Operations Command's Memorial Plaza on Fort Bragg.

Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base are important to your business and the Fayetteville/Cumberland County community.  To find out more about how you can support Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base, contact Toni Cunnigan-Dixon at (910) 484-4242 ext. 232 or via email at tdixon@fayettevillencchamber.org

*North Carolina Southeast Regional Data Book, Vol. XI, 2009